Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-16
COMMISSIONERS GOTHAM.

Hon. n. j. Colman, Commissioners OF Agriculture,
was visited by STAR reporter to-day and ask, 4
II he had seen the accusation that had been made
against him by Mr.. Reeves In the New YORK
World. He said chat he had and added that he
courted any investigation that might be made.
He said that when he accepted the
office OF Commissioner 1t was with the
purpose OF honestly and faithfully disehargipg
his duties, and OF reforming many abuses that
had crept into the Department and that were al
most universally complained OF. Among these
abuses he said was the distribution OF poor and
worthless seed. The result Of two years trial
under hts administration had shown that a
respect, and he could deh n ma'e reo, seet
OF a single complaint that had been made by any.
one to whom any OF the seed had been distributed
commendatory reports had been received from all
quality of the seed sem out y the De.
to carry out the purposes OF the law. The
cor added 1.-The person making
stockhoIder nor member Of any arm OF seed
dealers In New York. but is drummer for the sale
OF seeds, and obtains his commission on the sales
orders he nave s
20 get an order, he wrote me letter threaten
ing Ing, 10 make me very unhappy, as rsIember
lne wording, unless gave him an order Within a
certain time. Immediately replied to that letter
IN the terms which 1t deserved and from that time
20 anls, now more than year ago, have not seen
MN or correspOnded with him or had any Trans
actions with him whater or authorized anyone TO
have
sioner, with nrmS OF only the best financial and
business standing, and have not In q single I'm
stance had transactions with any outside parties.
I nave required the most absolute guaranty in
regard to the quality OF the seeds and the cor
RICHNESS OF varieties. In addition have instituted
the most thorough and complete tests OF seeds at
has newer before b @ssA0d aaV waasn
Who have visited the DEPARTMENT. and examiner
Is absolutely impossible for poor seed TO 60 through
the Department and be distributed, for mot q blu
Tor Havs seeds IDS is allowed 70 be approved unt an
purest and best quality. / have dealt
with but few firms, because thought there was
less danger OF obtaining poor seed from few per-
Sons IMAM II they were obtained through q general
distribution OF patronage. That my purchases
have been wisely and Judiciously made Is attested
Dy the fact that have distributed under the law
10 members OF Congress more than 20 per cent
more seed Than were ever before distributed under
any former administration as the records will
show In addition TO this 1 have distributed
largely for the purpose OF testing and learning the
adaptatlon OF varieties OF seeds to different sec
items OF the country, to all the agricultural col
ieges ana agricultural experiment stations IN the
country and to oranges and farmers clubs asking
1ail reports IN regard to them.
~ have dealt largely with A. B. Cleveland e Co,
they Ters well
cellent seed ana every transaction with them has
been square and honorable. That / am
Stockholder or have the slightest
pecuniary interest In that f1rm or any other
or that have ever received any benefit from 1t Of
rectly or Indirectly is basely and malicousy false
That nave spent few days fishing at the Thou
Sand Islands each year during my annual vacation
admit but have never been fishing with MIR.
A. B. Cleveland In my life, and II l had do not
think 1t would have been a crime. / have always
paid my own bills and never allowed others
to pay them for me. That l have been
visited by drummerS for seed houses and my
time and patience taxed by them when other
important business required attention admit and
may at time have shown some impattence under
their appeals for orders; but that have ever
refused them admission 10 my Office is unuRue
So tar as patrOnizing A. b. Cleveland l. Co. On ac-
count OF relationship to the President let me say
that the charge is ridiculous 10 not know that
any relationship exists between them.
AS have said, have patronized
them on account Of their business
standing and fair-dealing and because their goods
were OF the highest quality and gave universal sat
isfactlOn. The same is true OF Northrup, Braslafi
Co., and OTHERS with whom / have had
continual dealing. II there is any connection be
first l had ever heard OF 1t and do not be-
lieve it. 1 have purchased for the government
as would for myself, and not a complaint has
come from any quarter that have heard or. ex-
cept from one or two parties who have not been
able to sell me seed. As said IN the beginning,
l challenge the fullest scrutiny with regard 70
every relationship between this Department, the
commissioner, and the seedmen with whom we
laal